Distributor for fluid under pressure

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a distributor for fluid under pressure. The distributor is of the kind which comprises a first valve for controlling communication between an inlet and an outlet for the fluid, and a second valve for controlling communication between the outlet and atmosphere. According to the invention, the two valves are carried and controlled by a large area member comprising a membrane secured to a piston to permit actuation of the distributor by a low pressure fluid.

United States Patent 1191 Gachot et al.

DISTRIBUTOR FOR FLUID UNDER PRESSURE lnventors: Jean Gachot, 179 Avenue de la Filed:

Division Leclerc, Enghien-les-Bains; Simeon Lekarski, 138 Boulevard de la Republique, Saint-Cloud, both of France June 5, 1972 Appl. No.: 259,830

Foreign Application Priority Data July 8, I97] France 7125024 U.S. Cl. l37/596.l8 Int. Cl. Fl6k 11/10 Field of Search l37/596.l8, 596.14,

[ Jan. 1, 1974 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,l76,714 4/1965 Smith etal l37/596.l8

Primary ExaminerHenry T. Klinksiek Attorneylrvin S. Thompson et al.

8 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENIEB JAN H574 sum 2 or 4 Fig.3

DISTRIBUTORFOR FLUID UNDER PRESSURE This invention relates to a distributor for fluid under pressure.

The aim of the invention is to provide a distributor having small overall dimensions and a high degree of reliability while ensuring simple and economic operation.

In accordance with.the invention, the distributor for fluid under pressure comprises a body in which are mounted two valves designed in one case to establish or cut-off a communication between a passage providing an outlet and a passage providing an inlet for fluid under pressure and in the other case to cut-off or establish a communication between said outlet passage and the surrounding atmosphere, the distributor being characterized in that the two valves are carried by a common actuating member controlled by fluid pressure, the arrangement being such that the outlet passage is isolated from the inlet passage and communicates with the atmosphere when the actuating member is not subjected to the control pressure.

The use of an actuating member having a large surface area and subjected to a low control pressure makes it possible to ensure distribution of fluid under high pressure.

According to a preferred embodiment, the valves are mounted within respective chambers which communicate with each other and with the outlet passage and the first valve has an annular lip which is subjected to the pressure of fluid to be distributed and cooperates with a valve-seat formed in the corresponding chamber. The first valve is advantageously provided with a second annular lip which is also subjected to the pressure of fluid to be distributed and cooperates with a wall of the body which delimits the corresponding chamber, the diameter of said second lip being smaller than the diameter of the first lip.

Inasmuch as the pressure of the fluid to be distributed is applied in a differential manner to the two lips of the first valve, the control pressure which causes the displacement of the actuating member can have a very low value.

The actuating member is advantageously constituted by a piston securely attached to a diaphragm which is fixed within the body.

Further particular features of the invention will become apparent from the description which now follows, reference being made to the accompanying drawings which are given by way of example and not in any limiting sense, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view, along lines I-I of FIGS. 2 and 3, of a distributor according to the invention, in the active (or open) position;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are respectively bottom and top plan views of said distributor, in the direction of arrows II and III in FIGS. I and 4, with the corresponding covers partially broken away;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. I but on a reduced scale, and is a sectional view along lines IV-IV of FIGS. 2 and 3, the distributor being shown in the idle (or cut-off) position;

FIG. 5 is a simplified sectional view, along line V-V of FIGS. 2 and 3, the resilient valve members being omitted for reasons of clarity;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view along lines VIVI of FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 7 is an end view of the distributor body, as seen in the direction of arrows VII in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the bottom coverof the distributor, as seen in the direction of arrows VIII in FIGS. 1, 4, 6 and 9;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view along line IX-IX of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the top cover, in the direction of the arrows X in FIGS. 1, 4 and 6.

In the embodiment of the invention shown, as an example, in FIGS. 1 to 10, the distributor for a fluid under pressure comprises a body 1, the central portion of which is hollowed out, accommodating a top cover 2, and a bottom cover 3, which are inserted in body 1. Five different chambers 4, 4a, 5, 9 and 24 are formed within the hollow body 1. Inlet chamber 4a and intermediate chamber 4 are practically coaxial (FIGS. 1 and 4), and respectively connected with an inlet port 14 (FIGS 2 and 6) formed on the bottom side of body 1, and with an outlet port 15, formed on a side of body 1 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 5).

Intermediate chamber 4 and discharge chamber 5 respectively house two resilient rubber valve members 6 and 7, carried by a flat piston 8 mounted within a piston chamber 9 on the bottom side of body 1, between a recess of the body and a diaphragm l0 securely attached to the base of piston 8. Diaphragm 10 is tightly clamped at its periphery between the edges of body 1 and bottom cover 1. Likewise, a rubber seal 20 ensures leaktightness between body 1 and top cover 2, not only on the edges but also over a partition wall 1a of body 1 (FIGS. 1, 4, 5 and 6) between discharge chamber 5 and inlet chamber 4a on the other side.

Within a recess of bottom cover 3 is arranged an actua'ting chamber 24, also of flat proportions and of much larger surface than inlet chamber 4a or intermediate chamber 4. The purpose of actuating chamber 24, is to apply a fluid pressure to diaphragm 10 through a control groove 25, directly connected with a control port 25a (FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 8).

Valve member 6 is hollowed out in its central portion, and has two concentric annular lips I l and 12, the first of which cooperates with an annular valve seat 13 formed in hollow body 1 between inlet chamber 4a and intermediate chamber 4 (FIGS. 1, 4, 5 and 6). Annular lip 11 and seat 13 thus serve to establish or cut off communication between intermediate chamber 4 and inlet chamber 4a, or in other words between outlet port 15 linked with chamber 4 (FIG. 5) and inlet port 14 linked with chamber 4a (FIGS. 3 and 6).

The second annular lip 12 of valve member 6, of smaller diameter than coaxial annular first lip 11, has a slanted profile with respect to their common axis, and is adapted to cooperate with the inner face of top cover 2, so as to permanently isolate the central recess in hollow valve member 6 from the inlet chamber 4a. Therefore, the outside surfaces of both annular lips 11 and 12 are permanently subjected to the pressure of the fluid to be distributed when inlet port 14 is connected to a convenient supply line symbolically shown with arrow 8" in FIG. 6. However, the load thus applied to the wider first lip 11 being preponderant, valve memher 6 is normally urged onto seat 13, in the closure position shown in FIG. 4, when piston 9 is not actuated. This is the idle (or cut-off) position of the distributor.

Valve member 7, also having a hollowed-out central portion, is provided with radial holes 17 and a thick annular lip 18, arranged to seal off two discharge openings 19 of arcuate form in top cover 2, when lip 18 is pressed against said openings. In partition wall 1a of the body 1 (FIGS. 1, 4 and 5) between intermediate chamber 4 and discharge chamber 5, a passage 21 permits a free and permanent communication of both chambers 4 and 5.

Resilient lips 22 and 23, of arcuate profile, are respectively provided at the base of valve members 6 and 7 (FIGS. 1 and 4), thus improving the flexibility of piston 9, and ensuring leak-tightness between piston chamber 9, and chambers 5 and 4.

Inlet port 14 is connected with a supply line for the fluid under pressure to be distributed. This supply line is symbolically shown as arrow S in FIGS. 2 and 6. Similarly, outlet port 15 is connected with a convenient outlet line (FIGS. 2, 3 and Control port 25a is connected with a convenient control line C (FIG. 9) through a connection clamped on the corresponding side flange of cover 3. Control line C is fed, through appropriate control means, by a source (not shown) of control fluid, for instance at a 0.l bar pressure. This serves to control displacement of piston 8 and consequently of valve members 6 and 7, for distributing for instance a fluid under a supply pressure of the order of 6 bars. Discharge flow through arcuate discharge openings 19 of top cover 2 is shown with arrows D in FIGS. 4 and 6 where piston 9 and discharge valve member 7 are shown in the depressed or open position.

In the position of closure which is shown in FIG. 4, the diaphragm 10 is supplied against the bottom cover 3 and the flanges 22, 23 of the valves 6, 7 bear on the distributor body. The first lip 11 of the valve 6 is applied against its seat 13 and the second lip 12 is applied against the underface of the cover 2. The valve 7 is located at a distance from the openings 19, with the result that the outlet passage communicates with the surrounding atmosphere by means of the chambers 4, 5 and the openings 19. The pressure of the fluid to be distributed is exerted on the lips 11, 12 of the valve 6 in a differential manner so as to urge said valve in the downward direction.

When the control pressure produces action on the diaphragm 10 by sending fluid through the channel 25 into the enclosed space 24, the piston 8 moves upwards within the chamber 9 so as to take up the position shown in FIG. 1. The valve 6 is then in the open position, thereby establishing a communication between the inlet passage 14 and the outlet passage 15 through the intermediary of the chamber 4. The first lip 11 of said valve is displaced from its seat 13 and the second lip 12 is applied against the underface of the cover 2. The annular bead 18 of the valve 7 closes off the arcuate openings 19, with the result that the chamber 5 does not communicate with the surrounding atmosphere. The chambers 4, 5 under pressure are isolated from the chamber 9 by virtue of the bottom flanges 22, 23 of the valves 6, 7.

As soon as the control pressure is no longer applied beneath the diaphragm 10, the piston 8 returns to the bottom position the outlet passage 15 and the chambers 4, 5 are then opened to exhaust.

It is understood that the large surface area of the diaphragm 10, as compared with the small difference in surface area between the lips ll, 12 of the valve 6, permits substantial amplification and rapid lifting of the piston 8 in spite of the use of a low control pressure.

The distributor can be employed as an expansion or relief-valve unit by conveying via the duct 29 fluid which has been caused to expand within the chamber 9 containing the piston 8, and control fluid, towards the control chamber 24.

There is also formed within the distributor body 1 a recess 26 for receiving a fluid-type relay which performs the NOT logic function. The distributor can thus form part of a fluid-type logic circuit, the relay which is employed being preferably as described and illustrated in French patent application No 69 4t 589 as filed on Dec. 2, 1969 and entitled Improvement in fluid-type logic circuits". The supply fluid of the distributor is directed towards said relay by means of a duct 27. The outlet of said relay is connected to a passageway 28. The relay is actuated mechanically by means of the piston 8. The arrangement is such that, when the piston 8 is in the top position, the communication is cut-off between the inlet and the outlet of the relay and this latter is connected to the atmosphere by means of an orifice 30.

The outlet 28 of the relay can be connected to the control inlet 25 of a second distributor which is in any case supplied in parallel with the first. The combined assembly of both distributors is then equivalent to one distributor with two pistons having two outlets which are connected to the supply in alternate sequence.

In other applications such as the control of linear stepping motors, a plurality of distributors can be stacked together in back-to-back relation, their inlet orifices 14 being aligned and connected to a common supply.

What we claim is:

1. A distributor for a fluid under pressure, comprising a body having an inlet passage and an outlet passage and a control port therein, a first valve in the body to establish or cut off communication between said inlet passage and said outlet passage, a second valve in said body to cut off or establish communication between said outlet passage and the surrounding atmosphere, each valve comprising a valve member, a common actuating member carrying both said valve members and controlled by auxiliary fluid pressure supplied by said control port, and means mounting said actuating member in said body for movement between a first or idle position in which said outlet passage is cut off from the inlet passage and connected to the atmosphere, and a second or active position in which said actuating member is subjected to said auxiliary pressure and said outlet passage is in communication with said inlet passage and is cut off from the surrounding atmosphere.

2. A distributor according to claim 1, wherein the valves are mounted within respective chambers which communicate with each other and with the outlet passage and wherein the first valve has an annular lip which is subjected to the pressure of fluid to be distributed and cooperates'with a valve-seat formed in the corresponding chamber.

3. A distributor according to claim 2, wherein the first valve is provided with a second annular lip which is also subjected to the pressure of fluid to be distributed and cooperates with a wall of the body which de fines the corresponding chamber, the diameter of said second lip being smaller than the diameter of the first lip.

tween the intermediate chamber in which the piston is placed and the outlet passage in order that the distributor may be operated as an expansion unit.

7. A distributor according to claim 1, wherein the actuating member is constituted by a piston securely attached to a diaphragm which is fixed within the body.

8. A distributor according to claim 1, wherein the body is provided with a recess for receiving a fluid-type relay which performs the NOT logic function. 

1. A distributor for a fluid under pressure, comprising a body having an inlet passage and an outlet passage and a control port therein, a first valve in the body to establish or cut off communication between said inlet passage and said outlet passage, a second valve in said body to cut off or establish communication between said outlet passage and the surrounding atmosphere, each valve comprising a valve member, a common actuating member carrying both said valve members and controlled by auxiliary fluid pressure supplied by said control port, and means mounting said actuating member in said body for movement between a first or idle position in which said outlet passage is cut off from the inlet passage and connected to the atmosphere, and a second or active position in which said actuating member is subjected to said auxiliary pressure and said outlet passage is in communication with said inlet passage and is cut off from the surrounding atmosphere.
 2. A distributor according to claim 1, wherein the valves are mounted within respective chambers which communicate with each other and with the outlet passage and wherein the first valve has an annular lip which is subjected to the pressure of fluid to be distributed and cooperates with a valve-seat formed in the corresponding chamber.
 3. A distributor according to claim 2, wherein the first valve is provided with a second annular lip which is also subjected to the pressure of fluid to be distributed and cooperates with a wall of the body which defines the corresponding chamber, the diameter of said second lip being smaller than the diameter of the first lip.
 4. A distributor according to claim 3, wherein the second valve has an annular bead adapted to close-off exhaust openings formed in said wall of the body.
 5. A distributor according to claim 2, wherein the first and second valves each have a flange providing a leak-tight separation between the chambers in which said valves are mounted and an intermediate chamber in which the piston is mounted.
 6. A distributor according to claim 5, wherein said distributor has a duct for providing a connection between the intermediate chamber in which the piston is placed and the outlet passage in order that the distributor may be operated as an expansion unit.
 7. A distributor according to claim 1, wherein the actuating member is constituted by a piston securely attached to a diaphragm which is fixed within the body.
 8. A distributor according to claim 1, wherein the body is provided with a recess for receiving a fluid-type relay which performs the NOT logic function. 